Corellas damage crops and tear up cables

An unprecedented increase in the number of Western long-billed Corellas in the state's Wheatbelt is causing problems for farmers in the region.

Originally confined to the nothern wheatbelt, scientists say the birds have followed wheat and water supplies and spread into dozens of towns.

The birds have strong claws and have been damaging crops, digging up lawn and tearing at wood and telephone cables.

The Department of Environment and Conservation's Peter Mawson says a number of options are being considered to deal with the problem.

"Various types of trapping techniques, use of poisons and anaesthetic drugs but the problems with poisons are they are not very fast acting and they are seldom very specific," he said.

Mr Mawson says the birds have reached as far south as Narrogin and he expects they will reach the south coast within 15 years.

"At the moment, the Department doesn't have any active programs itself but it's certainly happy to consider any requests for damage licenses to reduce the populations as long as the methods are safe, humane, and are genuinely going to give a result," he said.